Ebaugh’s home run is the difference as Kennett edges Coatesville

KENNETT SQUARE >> It wasn’t the prettiest game of softball — Coatesville and Kennett combined for nine runs on just two hits — but thanks to a fifth-inning solo home run from Genevieve Ebaugh, the Blue Demons picked up their second win in as many tries on the young season, topping the Red Raiders 5-4. Coatesville falls to 0-2.
“Obviously, we have some things we need to clean up,” said Kennett coach Lauren Gottstein. “But we’re a very young team, and our freshmen are still finding their way. But they are finding a way to win, and you’ve got to be happy with starting with a couple wins.”
After the Red Raiders notched four runs to tie the game in the top of the fourth, Ebaugh came up to bat to lead off the bottom half of the fifth, and took an inside fastball deep to left field for the difference maker.

“We’ve come out strong this season, and got out to a lead today,” said Ebaugh. “I was confident that we’d be OK, even after that bad inning.  This is a good team, and I was sure that if it wasn’t me, someone else would step up. I got a good pitch to hit, and I knew on contact it was going out.”
Ebaugh got it done in the circle, too. The Kennett ace hit her spots all day, and struck out 16, with a devastating riseball.
“My curveball was working well all day,” said Ebaugh. “But the rise was working for me very well, maybe the best I’ve ever thrown it.”
Throwing six innings for the complete-game victory, Ebaugh allowed four runs — none earned — on just one hit. She did not walk a batter.

“What else is there to say about Gen?” asked Gottstein. “Plain and simple, she’s the best player in the league.”
The Blue Demons took advantage of some control problems in the first inning for Coatesville starter Caitlin Hinton, who walked four hitters and hit another with a pitch, and was charged with all four runs before being pulled with one out in the first.
Caitlyn Reynolds came on in relief, and threw 5 2/3 strong innings. Reynolds allowed just one hit over the remainder of the game, but it was the Ebaugh homer. She struck out seven, and walked just one.

“We were in a big jam in the first inning, and she came in gave us five or six strong innings,” said Coatesville coach Bill Mendenhall. “This was the first time we got to use her and she really came through for us. She threw the ball very well.”
The Red Raiders got on the board in the fifth, with Olivia Springer sparking the rally with a lead-off bunt, reaching on an errant throw, one of three errors in the inning. Paige Wilkins capped the rally with a two-out, two-run double to left center.

“We stayed smart, and took advantage of what they gave us,” said Mendenhall. “Nobody got down on themselves and just did what they could to work us back in the game. Paige really swung the bat well all day, and that was her first varsity hit.”
But after that outburst, Ebaugh took command, striking out six of the final nine hitters she faced.
“I have to say that Sarah Mullin did a great job behind the plate for us,” said Gottstein. “Gen isn’t the easiest pitcher to catch, and Sarah did a fantastic job. We have some things to work on for sure, but the young players are really stepping up in a hurry.”